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March 22, 2011

Beetle Named After Theodore Roosevelt

by Sam Savage

Naming marks anniversary of former president's speech at Arizona State University

A new species of a rugged darkling beetle that thrives in an arid region of the Chihuahuan Desert is being named in honor of Theodore Roosevelt on the 100th anniversary of a speech he gave at Tempe Normal School, now Arizona State University. The speech, delivered March 20, 1911, focused on the role of government, the importance of an educated citizenry, and the "far-sighted wisdom" of the Territory of Arizona.

"We wanted to do something distinct and long lasting to mark Roosevelt's impact on Arizona and conservation as we ramp up to the state centennial next year," said Wheeler, an ASU vice president and dean of the College of Liberal Arts and Sciences.

According to Douglas Brinkley's book, "The Wilderness Warrior: Theodore Roosevelt and the Crusade for America," it was Roosevelt's executive orders that saved such natural treasures as Devils Tower, the Petrified Forest, and Arizona's Grand Canyon.

"Naming a new species for President Roosevelt honors his achievements as a pioneering conservationist, naturalist and explorer, and helps us bring attention to biodiversity and the field of taxonomy. The ruggedness of this darkling beetle reflects many of the hardy and resilient characteristics of President Roosevelt," said Wheeler.

Roosevelt has had a number of species and subspecies named in his honor, including an elk, shrew, mollusk, worm and ant, according to Wheeler. "To this list of honors we are pleased to add this rugged and dashing new species of beetle."

The announcement of the new species was made March 21 during a commemoration ceremony at ASU's Old Main, the site of the former president's speech 100 years ago. Roosevelt was in Arizona at the time to dedicate a new dam on the Salt River that was named in his honor.

Roosevelt is not the first US president to have a beetle named by Wheeler and Miller. The pair of entomologists has named new species in honor of former President George W. Bush, former Vice President Dick Cheney, and former Secretary of Defense Donald Rumsfeld (Agathidium bushi, A. cheneyi and A. rumsfeldi). They also named beetles for the late rock 'n' roll legend Roy Orbison and his widow Barbara (Orectochilus orbisonorum); for fictional "Star Wars" character Darth Vader (Agathidium vaderi); and for Stephen Colbert, the satirical host and executive producer of Comedy Central's "The Colbert Report" (Agaporomorphus colberti).